Brees can join elite fraternity this season

Quarterback Drew Brees has taken the Saints to heights never seen before in these parts. Since joining the Saints in 2006, Brees has silenced the doubters, revitalized a city, won a Super Bowl and rewritten the Saints record book.

For a great snapshot of Brees’ Hall-of-Fame career, look no further than the 2012 season.

Broke Johnny Unitas’ record for consecutive games with a touchdown pass (54).

Became the first player in NFL history to throw at least 40 touchdown passes in consecutive seasons.

Only three quarterbacks in NFL history (Brees, Brett Favre and Peyton Manning) have at least five seasons with 30+ touchdown passes.

Led the NFL in touchdown passes for the fourth time (43).

Passed for 5,177 yards, becoming the first QB in NFL history to throw for 5,000 yards in consecutive seasons.

That last stat is a big one. During Brees’ 13-year NFL career, he’s thrown for 45,919 yards. 15,273 of those came in the past three years. Going into this season he needs just 4,081 yards to break the 50,000 yard plateau.

Talk about rare air.

Only four quarterbacks in NFL history have passed the 50,000 mark — Dan Marino, John Elway, Brett Favre and Peyton Manning. Brees, barring injury, will likely join that group this season. Since teaming up with Sean Payton, Brees has never passed for fewer than 4,388 yards.

Sometimes it’s hard to appreciate something until it’s gone and one has had time to reflect. That’s not true in this case. Who Dat Nation knows what Brees means to the NFL, the Saints and New Orleans. He’s one of the good guys who just happens to have carried a city and a franchise on his back for seven years.

It’s time to relish every record-setting moment Brees has left. The journey begins tonight at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Coaches were more vocal and aggressive with players as training camp pushes ahead full steam. Players clashed with one another in several hard hits and tackles, indicating that ferocity was the name of the game.

The Obama administration will unveil a major climate change plan Monday aimed at a large reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the nation's coal-burning power plants, a senior administration official told CNN.